THE organiser of this year's Sandiway and Cuddington Gala has criticised Lottery chiefs' decision not to provide vital funding towards a new village hall.

It had been hoped that £150,000 of Big Lottery Fund cash would be put towards the cost of replacing the pavilion on Norley Road Playing Fields - estimated at £450,000 - but as we reported last month, the Lottery rejected the application on the grounds the facility would not cater for enough minority groups.

Mike Harwood, chairman of Cuddington and Sandiway Football Club and the organiser of Saturday's gala, said the way the community pulled together at the weekend shows there is plenty of community spirit to justify the cash.

He said: 'The Lottery gave four reasons - not enough asylum seekers, ethnic minorities or gays, and we are quite an old community.'

Mike reckons between 800 and 1,000 people attended the gala, featuring a large-scale football tournament. He says a show of communal strength may make Lottery bosses change their minds.

'The gala involved local organ-isations and businesses - our community spirit was amazing. There aren't many communities that pull together like we do,' he said.

'We had 200-300 children playing football at the pavilion but only two changing rooms and a very small hall. The facilities are inadequate.

'It's not just the football club - other organisations would benefit from a new community centre.'

Summing up the feeling of residents, Mike added: 'People are aggrieved because they spend £1 on the Lottery every week.'

The Lottery blow has not deterred the committee from its mission. Chairman Denis Kidd said residents will be asked to contribute. He said: 'We know villagers want a new hall. We are asking them to put money where their mouth is.'